Some Demographics…

Mexico

Population

• As of July 2011; the population of Mexico was: 113,724,226 people• Average population density is 823.3 people per

sq. km.• The Federal District (Mexico City) has a density

of 5,936.8 people per sq. km.

Mexico City• Mexico City is the second-largest urban

agglomeration in the Western Hemisphere

•Mexico City, alone, has a population of 19,319,000 people

Ethnicity

Majority of the population (60%) are of Mestizo descent (Amerindian-Spanish mix)

Literacy

• 5.3 mil people in Mexico are unable to read and write.

• 86% can read and write.

• 14 yrs of schooling expected

Religion• 77% Are of the Roman Catholic religious

beliefs

• 3% have no religion

Society

• Very Diverse. (From Slums to the elite neighborhoods)

• Large economic gap• Much of the cultural

identities are regional, closely tied to indigenous people.

• Family remains central to Mexican society.

Economy

• Read Economist

“Plunging Peso”

NAFTA

North American Free Trade Agreement(U.S. Mexico and Canada)

• Implemented on Jan. 1, 1994

• By 2009 81% of Mexico’s exports are sent to the U.S.

• Access to U.S. market is vital for Mexico’s economy to flourish.

Cons of NAFTA

• Competition with U.S. firms.

• Free trade represents a loss of sovereignty

• Future development closely tied to int’l economic conditions.

• Globalization- When 2008 recession occurred US brought Mexico down with them.

Informal Sector

As Mexico’s economy grows many people are being left behind.

Mexico developed a sizable Informal Sector:

• Employees work without benefits

• Outside of government control– “Casual employees”

• Restaurants, hotels,

• street vendors, day laborers• Growing Informal Sector

Parastatal Sector• Government owned companies

• Prior to 1990 they were extremely large and powerful.

• Began expanding (rapid growth) in the 70s then started privatizing in the 80s

• Oil Company PEMEX Mexico’s oil

“War on Drugs”- Results

Upcoming elections 2012- Importance

“It’s Your problem now!”